Here we are continuing Cathy Douglass’ explanation of the painting design process.
Arches and Piers:
A second dominant feature of the architecture of St. Mary Immaculate Parish church is the dome support system. Six arched columns and two piers fan outward from the oculus to the church floor creating a dynamic tension of counterweight supporting half the dome above the altar. Currently the dramatic visual force of the arches is underplayed due to the monochromatic color of the altar area. The design plan for the arches and walls to the rear of the altar leans into the boldness of the structure and the traditions of the Church.
Color:
The walls between the arches will be painted a soft shade of light blue as a visual relief separating the arches. A Marian blue color has been selected for the arches and piers. The inclusion of a strong blue color associated with Our Blessed Mother on the arches is intended to pull the viewers eye upward from the tabernacle to meet the light of the oculus as the Light of God. The oculus light and arches reverse the eye’s path downward to follow the cloudscape to the tabernacle and altar. This color scheme is intended to lift parishioners’ experience in prayer by engaging their senses in a natural visual loop of movement as a contemplation of the true presence of God.
Catholic Ethos:
Biblically the color blue signifies divine presence, closeness to God, or being “of God”. The Catholic tradition of associating the color blue with Mary in Christian Art is derived from the early Jewish tradition of draping holy places and people with a blue cloth. Exodus tells us the Ark of the Covenant held the word of God in the Ten Commandments, the authority of God represented by the staff of Aaron, and the mercy of God represented by Manna. Numbers 4: 5-12 described the Ark as draped in blue. For this reason, our patroness, Mary Immaculate, as the New Ark of the Covenant is often depicted draped in a blue a blue mantle for she carried in her womb Jesus Christ who is the Word of God, Divine Mercy, and Eucharist.
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